2016 Food Storage Challenge

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Self Sustaining Pantry, Catch Up

Been a while since I have posted this but we have got a few things. We got two hives of bees our first time to have bees so we are learning as we go.

I found out our town has a bountiful Basket so I signed up for that I got a lot for 15 dollars several avocados, 2 heads of lettuce, bananas, cantaloupe watermelon, lots of bell peppers broccoli cucumbers a bag of apples and I did an add on of a flat of strawberries for 12.50. They do this year round and you get what is in season. If you want to see if there is one in your area you can go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ You will have to create a account then you can go to your state and see if they have one in your area.Our chickens have finally stated laying good again so now I have eggs coming out my ears.Got several jars of beans canned.Learned how to make my own socks.

Dandelion Jelly made and some dandelion tea made for jelly.9 gallon bags of frozen mashed potatoes.Strawberries in the dehydrator.I got a soda stream for Christmas I ran out of the co2 Wal-Mart has the co2 cartridges that you trade in, they are 17 dollars (more than I want to pay) so we took it to the wielding shop and they filled it for 5 dollars that I can live with.Pepper and tomatoes plants bought, ran out of time to get them started ourselves.

Got the two new areas for our garden spots cleared out. Now to just finish getting them ready and planted. We don’t plant until the first of June to make sure it will not freeze.Well that is about all I have gotten done the last few weeks be so busy with trying to get water going on the fields, working in the yard and I have had a few extra kids so not getting as much done as I would like. Oh well it will still be there to do when I can get to it lol. Plus school will be out next week and the girls will be home to help get things done. It is so nice that they are such good helpers I would like to say that they never whine about helping but they do have there moments lol. All in all though they are great little workers.Have you been able to get much done these last few weeks?

6 comments:

My friend Vera is going to teach me how to make socks. I got two new books while I was visiting my mother-in-law. We finally got all but two beds of our garden planted. I am thinking of doing flowers in them instead of veggies this year.

Michelle,Bet it feels goog to have the garden planted we can't plant until june or we get froze out. I wish I could do flower bed with just flowers but our water is so scarce I can't justify watering something that doesn’t produce anything.Have a great day,Connie

Wow! So busy and lots done!! Good for you. Love the socks -- looks really warm for a cold night. Glad to hear your have bountiful baskets!! We got about the same thing you did. Watermelon was small but soooo good!

MM,I am loving the bountiful Baskets so glad I found out we have one. A friend and I are going to try and start one here so we don't go into town to get ours we are thinking there would be enough people out here to do one.Have a great day,Connie

Connie, my sister has moved here from California and we are having so much fun and have been really busy, so I haven't checked in on you in a while. Glad you are doing well. My backyard has a limited area with sun and we have been working on raised beds and trellising to maximize the space. Have planted tomatoes, peppers, basil, garlic as a pest deterrent, walking onions, yacon, parsley, radish, lettuce, short carrots, seed onions, cucumbers, and thyme. Still have more seeds, but running out of room, so will plant artichokes and maybe some of the neater looking things in the front yard. I'll let you know if I get a ticket for that. I've noticed that several neighbors have started discreet vegetable gardens in places that used to hold annual flowers. I've got some flowers in pots with mulch on top to conserve water. Plenty of rain right now, but when it gets dry, I save the rinse water from the dishes and the shower to use for watering flowers. A tiny amount of soap doesn't hurt anything. I've shared your site with my sister and she is excited to try some of your MYOs too.

Brenda,That is so cool that your sister moved close by. It is so sad that people have to worry about getting a ticket for growing things in their own yards. I have a holding tank for water from my washer that I use to water my trees with like you said a little soap won't hurt. Thanks for sharing my site with your sister.Take care Connie

A little about me

I am married to my best friend.
Between the two of us we have 5 kids of which two still live with us.The 17 year old is still in high school, and the 19 year old is taking an advanced EMT class, (both girls). We raise Black Angus cows in addition to
farming, working real jobs, and trying to live as frugally as we possibly can. I
enjoy sharing what few things I know with others in hope to teach them something new
or inspire them to look for a more sustainable and frugal lifestyle.

I didn't grow enough tomatoes to can tomato sauce this year so I have had to buy some. I like buying the larger # 10 cans they are ...

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We have all heard of a “jack of all trades Master of none” I guess that is what I am. I just do what works for me and my family. I am not a professional in anything that I do so always keep that in mind when reading what I am doing now. As I said I am doing what works for me and my family, it may not work for yours.

Must Read Books

"Agenda 21" by Glenn Beck

"The Protein Power Lifeplan" by Michal R. Eades , M.D.

"Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon

"The Harbinger" by Jonathan Cahn

"One Second After" By William R. Forstchen

Here is a list of some of the great sites that I link-up some of my posts. They are all great blogs